Relay.



W. L. BLISS.

RELAY.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.26, I908.

Patented July 3, 1917.

UNITED STATES PATENT onrron.

WILLIAM L. BLIS S, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR; BY MESNEASSIGNMENTS,

- TO U. S. LIGHT & HEAT CORPORATION, TION OF NEW YORK.

OF NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK, A CORPORA- RELAY.

Specification of Letters Iatent. 1 Patented July 3, 1917.

Original application filed January 6, 1905, Serial No. 239,924. Dividedand this application filed December 26,-1908. Serial No. 469,418.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM citizen of the United States, residing atBrooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York,have invented newand useful Improvements in Relays, of which the following is a full,clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawing, formlng a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in relays for controlling electriccircuits.

The object of my invention is to provide an electro-responsive relaywhich will be sensitive enough to respond to slight Variations in theelectrical conditions and which will be stable in operation.

According to the preferred form of my invention, 1 provide a fluidpressure responsive device for actuating certain instrumentalities, andelectromagnetically operated means for regulating the pressure upon saidfiuid pressure responsive device. The pressure upon the fluid pressuredevice depends upon the strength of the operating magnet L. Buss, a

' of the regulating means, and is varied according to variations in thestrength of said magnet, thereby causing the relay to respond uponvariations in the electrical conditions to which the electromagnet issubjected.

My present application is a division of a former application, filed byme on- January 6, 1905, and bearing -Serial No. 239,924, which hasmatured into Patent No. 1,025,559.

In my said former application the relay is employed to control theoperation of an automatic regulator for regulating the voltage impressedupon a lamp circuit. Of course, the relay may be used in otherrelations.

The relay is especially adapted to be employed for controlling theoperation of automatic electric regulators for car lighting systems, asthe operation thereof is so stable that it is capable of being subjectedto vibrations which exist upon railroad cars without the operationthereof being deranged.

For the purpose of more clearly disclosing my invention, I haveillustrated'one embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawing. Ofcourse n1 invention is susceptible of various mod cations.

According to the preferred form of my invention I provide a relay switch1, pivoted at one end to a suitable support. At its tacts 4v and 5,respectively,

' erably comprises a diaphragm or expansible casing 7, which carries onthe front a pin 8 adapted to engage the switch 1. A spring 9, connectedat one end to the switch 1 and at its other end to the eye ofa bolt 10,tends to hold the switch 1 against the pin 8. The bolt 10 passes througha post 11 and carries a nut 12, by means of which the same may beadjusted to vary the tension on the spring 9. The bolt 10 is alsopreferably provided with a jam-nut 13. The diaphragm 7 is preferably so"constructed as to expand on very slight variations in pressure. It maybe assumed that, under normal conditions, sufficient pressure isexerted-upon the diaphragm to hold the relay switch in an intermediateposition, as illustrated, so that which may be connected to a supplypipe, or

to the pressure chamber supplylng the operating fluid for brakes whenthe relay is used upon a car. Upon one end of the chamber is preferablymounted a head 16, which is connected to the pipe 15, said head beingprovided with a passage 17. Upon the other end of the chamber 14 ismounted a head 18 which is connected to a socket 20, preferably mountedupon the back of the diaphragm 7 The head is provided with a passage 19,

which communicates with an aperture or port 21 in the back of theexpansion diaphragm. The pressure chamber is preferably provided with anescape vent, through which the fluid entering said chamber may escape,said vent being in communication with a pipe 23. The escape of the fluidfrom the pressure chamber is preferably controlled by a valve 24, whichmay rest upon a composed of magnetic material.

seat formed in the end of the escape pipe 23.

The escape valve preferably comprises a ball Mounted upon the frame 25,surrounding the escape pipe 23, is an electromagnetic winding 26. Theframe is preferably provided with a set screw 27 for holding the same inplace upon the escape pipe. Mounted upon the magnet frame is a cage 28,which surrounds the valve 24 and prevents the casual displacement of thesame. The purpose of the magnet 26 is to attract the escape valve 24 tothe seat therefor, provided at the end of the escape pipe 23. Thepressure chamber is preferably provided with a fluid resistance 29, ofcotton, wool, or other suitable material, through which the fluidentering the pressure chamber percolates, said fluid resistancepreferably being arranged between foraminous partitions 30. Theresistance 29 tends to prevent variations in the pressure 7 upon thediaphragm upon slight variations fof - action of the in the pressure ofthe fluid entering the pressure chamber. If the operating fluid bedelivered to the pressure chamber at a moderate rate, and also at afairly uniform pressure, the pressure upon the diaphragm will besubstantially constant, so long as the rate at which the fluid escapesfrom the pressure chamber through the escape pipe remains unchanged.Upon variations in the strength of the controlling magnet 26, the rateat which the fluid escapes from the pressure chamber will be varied,thereby varying the pressure upon the diaphragm. For instance,

if the strength of the controlling magnet is increased, the valve ismore tightly held against its seat and the pressure upon the diaphragmis increased, while if the strength of said controlling magnet isdecreased, the

pressure upon the diaphragm is likewise de-v creased. Upon an increaseof pressure upon the diaphragm said diaphragm will be expanded and therelay switch moved to bring the contact 3 into engagement with thecontact 5, while if the pressure upon the diaphragm is decreased belownormal, said diaphragm will contract and said switch be tobring thecontact 2, carried thereby, into engagement with the stationary contact4. While the current, which flows through the controlling magnet,remains normal the relay s witch 1 will stand in an intermediateposition out of engagement with both of the contacts 4 and 5, asillustrated.

By the construction illustrated and described, 1t will be apparent thatthe effects var1ations of fluid pressure in the pipe 15 Wlll beminimized. Any variationsin the supply pressure will merely operate theball valve 24, leaving the diaphragm 7 responsive only to those changesin pressure due to the magnet 26. Due to the restrlcted passage throughthe passage 19 and aperture 21, any variations due to ununifornipressure supply are still further minimized.

One embodiment of the resent invention has been described in detail.Many modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. It isintended that the patent shall cover all such modifications that comewithin the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is J 1. In arelay device, in combination, a fluid pressure responsive device, anexhaust valve biased to closed position butmovable toopen position bypressure within said device, electromagnetic adjusting means controllingthe sensitiveness of the exhaust valve, whereby the rate of flow andthereby the pressure on said fluid pressure device is regulated, and aswitch controlled by the operation of said fluid pressure device.

2. In a relay device, in combination, a relay switch, a fluid pressureresponsive device for actuating said switch and provided with. an escapevent, an adjustable one way valve controlling the escape of fluidthrough said vent to regulate the flow through said device andconsequently the pressure upon said fluid pressure responsive device, aseat for said valve, said valve being movable from said seat by thepressure of the fluid escaping through said vent, and an electromagnetfor actuating said yalve in the opposite direction to vary theadjustment thereof and thereby varying the pressure upon said fluidpressure responsive device.

3. In a relay device, in combination, a relay switch, a fluid pressuremotive power device operating said switch and provided with an escapevent, an adjustable valve controlling the escape of fluid through saidvent to regulate the pressure upon said fluid pressure responsivedevice, a seat for said valve, said "alve being movable from said seatby the pressure of fluid escaping through said vent, and anelectromagnet arranged to attract said valve toward the seat thereof.

4. In a relay device, in combination, arelay switch, a fluid pressureresponsivedevice operating said switch and provided with an escape vent,a ball valve controlling the escape of fluid through said vent toregulate the pressure upon said fluid pressure responsive device, a seatfor said valve arranged around said vent, said valve being adapted to bemoved from said seat by the pressure of the fluid escaping through saidvent, and an electromagnet arranged to attract the ball valve toward theseat thereof to vary the pressure upon said fluid pres-' sure responsivedevice.

5. In a relay-device, in combination, a relay switch, a fluid pressureresponsive diaphragm, a pressure chamber communicating 13o escape vent,an ad ustable valve controlling the escape of fluid through said vent,said valve being biased to closed position but movable to open positionby pressure within said chamber, a source of fluid pressure supplycommunicating with said pressure chamber, a fluid resistance arrangedwithin said pressure chamber and tending to pre vent fluctuations in thepressure of said source of supply from producing fluctuations in thepressure upon said diaphragm, and an electromagnet for controlling theadjustment of said valve to vary the pressure within said pressurechamber.

6. In a relay device, in combination, a relay switch, a fluid pressureresponsive diaphragm for actuating said switch, a pressure chamberprovided with an escape vent, a source of fluid resistance arrangedwithin said pressure chamber and tending to prevent fluctuations in thepressure of said source of supply from producing fluctuations in thepressure upon said diaphragm, a valve seat arranged around said escapevent, a ball valve arranged upon said seat and adapted to be movedtherefrom by the pressure of the fluid escaping through said vent, andan electromagnet attracting said ball valve toward said seat.

7. An electrical switch and means for controlling the operation thereof,said means including a fluid pressure responsive device tending to movesaid switch in one direction, said device being provided with an exhaustport, a valve provided with a seat adapted to close said exhaust port,said valve being adapted to be moved from its seat by the pressurewithin said device, and electromagnetic means tending to-hold said valveto its seat to vary the pressure within said device.

8. A fluid-operated relay device provided with a chamber and an exhaustport communicating with said chamber, a valve adapted to close saidport, said valve being adapted to be moved from its seat by the pressurewithin said chamber, and electromagnetic means tending to hold saidvalve to its seat, a movable member in communication with said chamber,said communication being through a relatively small passage compared tothe dimensions of said chamber.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presenceof two witnemes.

WILLIAM L. BLISS.

' Witnesses:

FRANK H. HUBBARD, SHEPLER W. FITZ GERALD.

